Femmefan Exclusive Interview with Michael Silver, author of Golden Girl.

By Ivette Ricco

June 11 2006, Pinole Ca.

Michael Silver is a senior writer for Sports Illustrated. He is one of SI's lead NFL writers and he has penned several memoirs with notable athletes, Dennis Rodman, Kurt Warner and Jerry Rice among them. I am familiar with Michael Silver’s NFL articles and also by way of his coverage of the San Francisco Forty Niners.

Silver was a sports writer and columnist for the Santa Rosa Press Democrat here in Northern California where he covered the 49ers and Golden State Warriors before joining SI. He has received numerous writing awards from several organizations, including the Pro Football Writers of America, the Associated Press Sports Editors and the Pro Basketball Writers of America.
A native of Los Angeles, Silver is a 1988 graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, and he readily admits that he is a “psychotic alum”. He literally bleeds Cal Blue and Gold. Silver lives with his wife, Leslie, and their three children in Northern California.

I spent 30 lively minutes discussing a myriad of topics with this funny and articulate sports journalist, including but not limited to his new book, Golden Girl.

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Ivette:
Michael I am a Northern California resident and a 49er fan, familiar with your coverage of football. I was surprised when I was sent Golden Girl for review, and I honestly didn’t remember Natalie Coughlin until I began reading the book. Why did you feel her story was compelling enough for you to write about, especially when you usually cover NFL football and have written several other “memoirs” about football players.

A: Oh, I feel for you. I used to be a 49ers fan.
The story I wrote isn’t the story I set out to write. What I had in mind was not nearly as compelling as what I wrote. I ended up with a better story about a sport, swimming, because of Natalie. This psychotic Cal alum’s original lure was Natalie who I had met and I was drawn to her likeability and cool personality. We met for lunch several times and it was Natalie who opened up to tell her full story.
I’m proud of Natalie for telling her story. She hopes it will be beneficial to the next generation swimmers.

Q: Swimming doesn’t get center stage in American sports until the Olympics; do you ever see that changing, if so what would it take?

A: Ha, maybe a ban on baseball and other Olympic sports. The Olympics only happen every four years so it’s intense. There is surprising little electricity in the air during the swimming competition. But one false start can eliminate a swimmer who has worked and trained for years. College meets are thrilling. The Cal-Stanford meet was the most thrilling sporting event I have ever seen.

Q: Do you believe that marketing and sex appeal play a major role in the popularity of sports in America?

A: Absolutely. I have to applaud Natalie for three decisions she made because as much as she wanted to be marketed she turned down guaranteed big money, she downscaled her Olympic ambitions and she competed in the Athens Olympics to serve her country. Natalie is being marketed as the “girl next door” while Amanda Beard is being marketed in a more provocative way.

Q: Do you believe that Teri McKeever salvaged Natalie’s career?

A: Yeah, they salvaged each other. Without McKeever Natalie wouldn’t be setting records. Natalie knew, on some level, that to survive she had to be with Teri and not with the back stabbing and prevailing swimming ethos, the prevailing philosophy, which pounds swimmers into the ground. Teri’s approach was touchy feely.

Q: If you had a daughter with the talent, in any sport, that Natalie has, would you let her be coached by men such as Ray Mitchell?

A: (Groan) I personally would try to avoid having my daughter, her name is also Natalie, from being coached by a Ray Mitchell. But you want so much to give them (your children) your support and it’s so wonderful to watch them go out there and compete. Natalie’s parents, Jim and Zennie are almost model parents. They were against Natalie’s decision to swim for Cal instead of Stanford because they felt Stanford was a better school, but they always stood by her.

Q: In your experience with professional athletes do you see a difference in the way female athletes are treated? Are their lives under greater control than those of male athletes?

A: Yes, especially young ones, boys and girls (swimmers) are exposed, literally. The girls are growing and going through physical changes in a very public way. They have to deal with the male coaches’ unscientific ethos, where slimmer is better.

Q: What are your expectations for Natalie in the Beijing Olympics?

A: After the times she put up a couple of weeks ago I honestly believe that she will challenge what she accomplished in Athens. She’s now able to let it rip.

Q: Natalie is a Raiders fan. Are you a Niners fan?
A: I used to be a Niners fan, but now I’m not really a fan of any team.

Ok, Michael pick one:

Q: Al Davis or Dr. York?
A: Oh boy…Al Davis is delusional, York is condescending and cheap. I’ll go with Al since he still remains a football force.

Q: Art Shell or Mike Nolan?
A: Well Art Shell has done it so I have to go with Art. But Nolan is going to be good.

Q: Aaron Brooks or Alex Smith?

A: Trent Dilfer.

Q: Cal or Stanford?

A: God or the Devil?

Q: Which team will win the Big Game and take home the AX?
A: Cal, they will win their first Conference title since 1958 and go to the Rose Bowl.

Thank you Michael, for your time and thank you from all the women who are avid sports fans.

Read Ivette Ricco’s review of Golden Girl.

Golden Girl: How Natalie Coughlin Fought Back, Challenged Conventional Wisdom, and Became America's Olympic Champion by Michael Silver © 2006 Michael Silver. 
Available wherever books are sold or directly from the publisher by calling (800) 848-4735 or visit their website at www.rodalestore.com.

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